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Transmission flush vs drain and fill
So I can’t seem to find anyone that will flush the transmission fluid in our ‘03 TK including my two local Ford dealerships. They just don’t want to work on RV’s.

Do any of you do your own transmission service and just drain and fill?
Steve
2003TK

Re: Transmission flush vs drain and fill
Reply #1
I've done drain and fills using the drain plug, and now I do them with a Mityvac Fluid Evacuator.

I get about as much with the MityVac through the dipstick.  Since the Fluid Evacuator is graduated, I add in as much new ATF as I take out. 

I probably over change the ATF and it's never anything but a nice red color.  Mobil 1 ATF.

I don't tow, but I also don't want to buy a new transmission.

Rich


2003 MB

Re: Transmission flush vs drain and fill
Reply #2
It is not recommended to “flush” a transmission. Flushing can stir up very small particles inside the transmission.

These small particulates can and most likely will find their way inside the small capillaries within the tranny. This restricts the new fluid from lubricating the transmission causing it to slip.

Transmission slippage is one of the worst things can can happen. The fix of a slipping tranny is either spend thousands of dollars in rebuilding or replace the transmission. $$$

Simply “drain” all you can from the transmission and replace it with new fluid of the same kind. Insuring that the same amount of fluid removed is replaced with the same amount of fluid of the same make.


My mechanic refuses to flush our transmissions. Scotty Kilmer recommends drain and fill. https://youtu.be/e7RXYe11ddA

My barber had her transmission flushed and now she’s been having trouble getting her transmission to engage in reverse. It takes several seconds before it finally slams into gear.

Some mechanics like the flush technique because it’s an easier procedure. Faster. And they can charge more for the work. Run away as fast as you can if they insist on flushing your tranny.

Hope this answers your question.

Kent
2015 27' RB "MissB.Haven"

Re: Transmission flush vs drain and fill
Reply #3
Thank you both, I think I’m convinced. I’m a fan of Scotty too but I had not seen this video. Generally I have not power flushed my cars in the past. Just a couple times with other cars. Also, thanks for the evacuator tip.

My TK has 36k and it had about 29k when I purchased it about 19 months ago. Since the owner had not changed the fluid I have to assume it has Mercon from the factory. Will it be OK to put the Mobil synthetic in even though there will be lots of Mercon remaining after a simple drain?

Thanks much,
Steve
Steve
2003TK

Re: Transmission flush vs drain and fill
Reply #4
Do not flush...ever....it pushes worn off partials from normal wear of transmission into parts of the transmission it should not....like valve body.
I just do drain and fills.....I take a 2 gallon clean bucket which will slide under the coach without having to be tilted. Also have a 1 gallon clear sided pitcher with 1 quart markings on the side...thift store or dollar store will work. Drain when fluid is warm...let engine warm up and shift trans through gears ...this is to be sure it pours out well but you don't want to burn yourself or melt your pitcher.....also you are near the exhaust pipe..converter..etc...gets warm under there. Drain the fluid (make sure you remove the crush washer from the bolt and have a new one to go back on...this is critical to not stripping out the threads on the pan). Drain into the bucket...should get around 4 to 6 quarts out. I then pour the fluid into the pitcher measuring how much actually comes out...this way I can pour the equal amount of fresh fluid back in....checking the level after warming shifting through the gears....drive and check again always while running and in park with emergency brake on) when filling make sure you have a funnel that fits the trans fill tube....you don't want to spill fluid onto exhaust or not fill the correct amount. I usually drive(take a short trip and do another drain and fill because the total amount in trans is around 8 or 9 quarts....then it is more like all clean fluid...or close as you can get..I always use the ford fluid from the dealer but most fluid is manufactured by only a few companys....read the back....and if it says on the front it is for you yr and model ...check your owners manual ( bet you have never opened it..it has alot of great info. ) I drain and fill every 20k miles or 2 years which ever comes first. With rvs you want to do everything by time because most are driven only 5 to 7k per year unlike a car or truck.
Same on other fluids....diff, power steering, coolant, brake fluid....
Do more often if towing.....fluids are cheap when compared to repairs. 
2017 Casita Spirit Deluxe
2016 Twin King 24ft
2017 Casita Independence Dlx
2004 Midbath 26.5

 
Re: Transmission flush vs drain and fill
Reply #5
There are different types of flushes, the one that causes issues is power flushing where the fluid is vacuumed out through the transmission cooler line, filtered and reinjected back into the transmission. Some machines use fresh fluid, other machines mix in an additive to the filtered fluid, to restore the filtered fluid's chemistry.

My method of flushing has worked well for decades, it uses the natural flow and pressure of the transmission fluid as found inside an idling transmission, nothing unusual happens to cause issues
The transmission's oil pan is first drained and removed, allowing the filter to be replaced. The pan is replaced and refilled with fresh fluid.
Next, the supply line from the transmission to the transmission cooler is removed and a tube attached to direct the flow of the exiting transmission fluid into a five-gallon bucket, marked in 1-quart increments.
The engine is then started and idled while the fluid slowly fills the bucket to the 4-quart line. At 4-quarts, shut the engine off.
Draining only half the pan's capacity each time keeps the oil at a safe level at all times.
Add 4-quarts of fluid to the transmission and repeat the process until the color of the fluid changes from dark to light.
Our LD's 4L100 transmission flush requires 22 quarts of Valvoline MaxLife Multi-Vehicle ATF for the complete flush.
I use this fluid at the recommendation of Tom Wood, a Ford transmission specialist and remanufacturer.
MaxLife™ Multi-Vehicle ATF : Product Catalog - Valvoline™

Other brands and models of transmissions will have varying capacity and fluid-type recommendations. Check with the owner's manual for the type and capacity.

Larry
Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze

Re: Transmission flush vs drain and fill
Reply #6
My method of flushing has worked well for decades, it uses the natural flow and pressure of the transmission fluid as found inside an idling transmission, nothing unusual happens to cause issues

Larry’s method is a good one.  I’ve used this method on my Jeep XJ for years.  To make things easier, I cut the hose going into the transmission cooler and slipped in a hose coupler held in place with 2 small hose clamps.  When I want to change out the transmission fluid, I loosen the hose clamp closest to the cooler and pull the hose off of the coupler.  Then I push onto the coupler a short section of clear vinyl hose and put the other end in an empty 1 gallon milk container.  I then do what Larry says and drain/add one gallon of new atf.  Repeat the process with a second empty gallon milk container and gallon of new atf.  Put the hose back together, tighten the hose clamp and take the used atf to AutoZone for recycling.  I don’t always change the filter because it’s not like an oil filter and is only meant to catch the big chunks.  But when I do, I always clean the pan real good as well as the magnets in the bottom of the pan.  The Cherokee transmission is happy and still running strong after 170k miles.  I’ll be doing the same on my new Ford E450 when it’s time.

- John

Fulltimer with a 2021 MId-Bath “Babe”, 1996 Cherokee “Scout” and “Bandit” the wonder dog 🐶

Re: Transmission flush vs drain and fill
Reply #7
Screen shot of Ford Factory Manuel page  ....
personal fine art photo stuff
TF Mack | Flickr
It's all good .......
2014 Twin King

Re: Transmission flush vs drain and fill
Reply #8
The manual for my 2019 E-450 provides supplemental maintenance guidance (including transmission fluid & filter change), for special use situations, eg; towing. I consider the duty done in hauling the coach a qualifying circumstance. Certainly, the fact that I tow a 4300 Lb Jeep qualifies.

Here’s the page from the Ford Manual on this:
Warren
2019 MB “Dream Catcher”
Jeep Wrangler JL

Re: Transmission flush vs drain and fill
Reply #9
Seems Ford’s maintenance schedule is a moving target. My 2003 maintenance manual states 30k and emphatically states do NOT use Mercon V.

I paid a visit to my Ford dealer and the service department said to use Mercon V. I can only speculate that Mercon V was reformulated at some point to be compatible with Mercon only applications.

Do you also drain the torque converter? I believe they added a drain plug to the torque converter in 99?
Steve
2003TK

Re: Transmission flush vs drain and fill
Reply #10
I would like to add that the maint schedule was devised on all vehicle to show the minimal cost of maint per year to show why you should buy their brand. Think about it ...when has a manufacturer ever told the truth about their models and once you are out of warranty it is your problem.....
I worked for many and recalling conversions I heard makes my skin crawl...
Do your maint often and early...keep a notebook detailing everything you do with date and mileage. Keep a.log of each item on a page noting the next time you need to do it. This log /notebook will save you money and bring a better sales price when you sell it. Why do you think Mercedes Benz vehicles bring a much higher price if they have their maint books present and stamped. It is the best selling tool you have yet people rarely keep an organized maint book with receipts and documentation. I have passed up many due to lack of maint or proof it was done. This year I walked on 2 older models for this reason plus undercarriage rust. I refuse to pay high prices for a LD that will nickel and dime me to death due to lack of maint and repairs...plus rust out from under me...brackets breaking and parts dropping off...exhaust,, holding tanks..etc
Be smart or pay the price.....
Do your research....
2017 Casita Spirit Deluxe
2016 Twin King 24ft
2017 Casita Independence Dlx
2004 Midbath 26.5


Re: Transmission flush vs drain and fill
Reply #12

When setting up maintenance schedules, I use the Factory recommendations,  The Factory knows your vehicle better than anyone else, having spend years and hundreds of millions developing and testing it.

In the previous life as a Mechanical Repair Supervisor at LAX, I had to set up maintenance schdules for hundreds of pieces of equipment and vehicles, so the computer system would issue work orders at the proper time. The Airport's fueling system recorded the mileage each time it a machine was refueled, helping to enable the timely manintenance.
In two decades of doing this, I relied on the maintenance manuals that came with each machine, plus whatever trends we noticed reviewing the past records on similar machines, we did a some preempltive repairs and maintenance based upon our own experience, every operating environment is different.
Much of the equipment we maintained was considered to be mission critical, the maintenance and test runs needed to be up to date, building emmergency generators are a good example of machines that need to always run, when needed.
 
When it came to oil, we used oil analysis over several years to verify the change intervals, the best way of determining how long oil will last in regular and HD usage. Over several years, it was determined that regular engine oil was good for 7000 miles and synthetics for about 10,000 miles in cars and light trucks. We exclusively used dyno oils unless a machine’s manual required synthetic. We decided on a 7000 mile interval, 10,000 miles was considered too long to go without a through inspection, normally done when the oil was changed
Transmission fluid and axle fluid changes were left at the Factory recommendations.
Brake fluid changes were set at three years, due to moisure build-up..

The power steering and power brake hydraulic fluid does not have a listed change interval. I flush and change our LD’s power steering fluid every 50,000 miles and have added an inline filter on brake booster’s return line, it too gets changed at 50,000 miles
Amazon.com: Magnefine 3/8" Magnetic Inline Transmission/Power Steering...
I have done this on every power steering equipped car have we have owned  and have never changed a steeering box or power steering pump. We tend to keep vehicles a minimum of ten years, usually much longer.

1999 to 2007 LDs are equipped with a transmission mounted parking brake, it contained a few ounces of the same fluid used in the transmission. The parking brake can develop leaks and seeps, it’s fluid leve needs to be checked regularly and topped off.
Failure to do so could lead to its failure, a $1500-2000 repair, and in some cases, when it seizes, it tears off the rear of the transmission, now you are looking at a hugely expensive repair. Check the fluid level.
Parking brake oil fill | Flickr

Ford has taken care of deciding the schedule you should use, based on normal or heavy-duty use. They determined the schedules based on millions of test miles plus feedback from existing fleet owners.  
If you want to change any of the fluids more often, go ahead but do not expect a much longer life.

Larry

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Larry
2003 23.5' Front Lounge, since new.  Previously 1983 22' Front Lounge.
Tow vehicles  2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2001 Jeep Cherokee
Photo Collection: Lazy Daze

Re: Transmission flush vs drain and fill
Reply #13
"When setting up maintenance schedules, I use the Factory recommendations,..."

During my last two years of a four year tour with the Air Force in Germany I was the unit Statistician! My job included the compilation of maintenance reports sent in from remote sites. I would collate those reports, send them through data automation and receive a condensation of the data. The information was so precise that I could predict, within days, when a certain communications system would fail. Our maintenance intervals were based on that data.   :o   :)
Steve S.
Lazy Bones & Cedar
2004 30'IB (Island Bed)
Yesterday is History, Tomorrow is a Mystery
Live for the day!

Re: Transmission flush vs drain and fill
Reply #14
…and take the used atf to AutoZone for recycling.

Well, I flushed the Cherokee’s transmission today and filled 2 1-gallon milk jugs with used atf.  I then went to AutoZone to drop off the used atf for recycling only to find out that they wouldn’t take it in the milk jugs.  They said the rules have changed and only approved fluid containers will be accepted for recycling automotive fluid.  Original fluid containers are acceptable and luckily I still had them.  So, I had to drive home, dig the original containers out of the blue recycle barrel, transfer the used atf and drive back to AutoZone, where they happily accepted them.  Whew… now it’s time to put my feet up and enjoy a cold one 😁

- John
Fulltimer with a 2021 MId-Bath “Babe”, 1996 Cherokee “Scout” and “Bandit” the wonder dog 🐶

Re: Transmission flush vs drain and fill
Reply #15
John, they probably won't take it in empty beer bottles either so don't try that!   ;D
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264

Re: Transmission flush vs drain and fill
Reply #16
That’s a new one - “original containers”. I turned in eight quarts of oil in my self contained drain pan to O’Reilly’s a couple of days ago without incident. I wonder if this is a county thing, or perhaps the shop I visited hasn’t begun enforcing.
Warren
2019 MB “Dream Catcher”
Jeep Wrangler JL

Re: Transmission flush vs drain and fill
Reply #17
Warren,

I don’t know if it’s an AutoZone policy or not.  Does O’Reilly’s have a service bay where they do oil changes?  The local Pep Boys has a service bay and I’ve taken a self contained drain pan and they just dump it in with the rest of the used oil.  That may be the difference.  The AutoZone near me doesn’t do any service, so everything has to stay in whatever container it came to them when it gets trucked away.

- John
Fulltimer with a 2021 MId-Bath “Babe”, 1996 Cherokee “Scout” and “Bandit” the wonder dog 🐶

Re: Transmission flush vs drain and fill
Reply #18
The trash service here offers curb pickup for used oil and filters; the recycle truck picks up the full jugs and bagged filter, then throws (literally!) two empty jugs and a filter bag in the general direction of the curb. At least I don’t have to schlep the oil and filter somewhere for proper disposal.
2003 TK has a new home